Sensational '70's Tune for Wednesday, March 25th, '09

Songwriter/arranger Van McCoy was working on an album for Hugo and Luigi when the idea came to him to record his own album. While recording tracks for the LP in New York, his partner, Charles Kipps, accepted a DJ's invitation to come to the Adam's Apple club. After seeing the patrons do an elegant dance called "the hustle," Kipps later told McCoy about what he'd seen. The sessions were done at New York's Media Sound with pianist McCoy, bassist Gordon Edwards, drummers Steve Gadd and Rick Marotta, keyboardist Richard Tee, guitarists Eric Gale and John Tropea, and orchestra leader Gene Orloff. Hugo Peretti brought in piccolo player Philip Bodner to play the lead melody. Produced by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore and issued on Avco, the million-selling "The Hustle" danced up to number one R&B and number one pop in the summer of 1975. It was included on the number one R&B/Top 12 pop LP Disco Baby. His other hits include the Top Six R&B/Top 50 pop hit "Change With the Times." Music vet McCoy also had hits with Faith, Hope & Charity, former Temptations member David Ruffin ( "Walk Away From Love"), and Gladys Knight & the Pips ( "Baby Don't Change Your Mind").